Refrigeration apparatus



Aug. 30,1932. M. MuNcE REFRIGERATION APPARATUS Filed Nov. 18, 1930 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 KMU" ,/aruapuog @yuan/my MYNQ Aug., 30, 1932. M. MUNCE 1,875,254'

REFBIGERATION APPARATUS Filed Nov. 18, 1930 3 sheets-Sham;` 2

Aug. 30, 1932. M. MUNCE REFRIGERATION APPARATUS Filed Nov. 18. 1930 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 Patented Aug. 30, 1932 UNITED STATES MARSHALL MUNGE, F RICHMOND, VIRGINIA.

REFBIGEBATION APPARATUS Application led November 18, 1980. Serial No.` 498,475.

The ypresent invention relates to refrigerating apparatus of the compression-expansion type and particularly to apparatus of this class adapted for use in connection with 5 ice-making plants, although not limited to such use.

Commercial ice plants as heretofore designed and constructed have frequently required the use of two complete refrigerating units, each including a compressor, a condenser, and a Work circuit, one unit being occupied exclusively with the cooling of the brine required for ice manufacture and the second unit being required to maintain an ice storage room or chamber at the desired temperature for the continued storage of blocks of ice. Generally speaking also, these A units have been of dierent capacities, i. e., the unit employed to cool the brine having a larger capacity than the unit employed in maintaining the ice storage chamber at the desired low temperature. Ice plants having refrigerating apparatus of this general type have been installed at many points and are in successful operation. The present invention has for one object theimprovement of the conventional two-unit refrigeratin apparatus by the provision of means ena ling the work circuits or cooling coils of both units to be supplied with refrigerant from the compressor of one unit, the improved mechanism being so designed that the compressor and condenser of either unit may be connected to both work circuits at the will of the operator, the compressor and condenser of the second unit being adapted to be cut out.

It will be' understood that in a two-unit refrigerating apparatus, as heretofore designed and constructed, the two units are independently operable and that, should either Athe compressor or condenser, or cooling water supply system of one condenser fail, this unit must be kept .out of operation until repairs are effected. In accordance with the present invention, the two refrigerating units are so interconnected that, upon failure of either the compressor or condenser of one unit, the work circuit or cooling coil of such unit may be connected to the. compressor or condenser -to the compressor motor.

of the second unit. As a result of this novel arrangement, it is therefore possible for the operator to cut out of action the motor and compressor of either unitfor repairs, or for other reasons, without at the same time interering with the operation of the plant conl sidered as a whole, both work circuits being supplied with the necessary amount of re` frigerant, which refrigerant is taken from the condenser of that unit which, for the time being, remains active. Naturally also the compressor and condenser of one'unit maybe cut out and shut down for any other reason, as, for instance, when the full capacity of the plant is not demanded. The invention is particularly applicable to refrigeration apparatus of the flooded system type.

A further object of the invention is the provision of an improved automatically operating compressor starting mechanism whereby the working period of the compressors, or either of them, is reduced to a minimum length of time for the accomplishment of the work in hand, the compressor being automatically started and stopped in accordf5 ance with the demand upon the work circuit. Again, it is an important object of the invention to provide an improved refrigerating apparatus of the compressor-condenser type which includes means for insuring that the compressor is in operation only when an adequate supply of cooling water is being supplied to the condenser mechanism.

Thus, means is provided for detecting the presence or absence of water pressure in the main which connects the water pump to the cooling tower of the apparatus. The water pump is caused to start and stop automatically in accordance with the demand upon the associated cooling coil or work circuit. Pressure built up by the pump in the main which leads from its outlet is suicient to cause the movement of-a diaphra or piston type of pressure responsive devlce, and the movable element of this device is connected toan eleo- @a tric switch which controls the flow of current When the water pump is started, therefore, this pressure re-` sponsive device is promptly actuated and the compressor motor switch closed.` Upon stoppage of the pump or decrease in pressure of the water in the outlet main thereof for any other reason, the pressure responsive device immediately e'ects the opening of the com-- pected failure of thewater supply or the water supply means.

In the following paragraphs the invention will be described 1n detail, and in the accompanying drawings one form thereof'is illustrate-d. It will be understood, however, that the invention is susceptible of very considerable modiiicationsin using -or ap lying the same in the industrial arts, the esign and arrangement of its specific' elements being' units may be of the same or'diierent caand preferabl susceptible of a very4 considerable modification 1n adapting the apparatus to various tasks.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a schematic view o a two-unit refrigerating apparatusof the compressionexpansion type, the apparatus Vshown having been designed for use 1n connection with an ice-making plant; 1

Figures 2 and 3 are additional schematic views of portions of the apparatus shown in Figure 1, Figure 2 illustrating only those parts shown in Figure 1 which are in'feiective operation when one of the compressors is in o eration, and Fi re 3 illustrating only the e ective parts w ich are in operation when the other com `ressor is active; and

Figure 4 is affurt er 'schematicview of the automatic starting mechanism for one ofthe compressors.

The apparatus disclosed diagrammatically in Figure 1 comprises two refrigeratin units, the first being intended for the manu acture of ice in blocks and the second being intended only for use in maintaining the blocks manufactured by the 'first unit at a low temperature so that the ice blocks will not melt.Y The ice-making unit is generally of larger ca-.

pacity. than the Vunit intended primarily for cooling purposes only, but it will be understood that the relative sizes ofthe two units have no bearing upon the invention, as these pacities, depending upon the 'circumstances of the particular installation.

In the drawings the compressor of the first unit or freezing unit is indicated at 10, the condenser at 11, and the work circuit or cooling coil at 12. These elementsare only diagrammatically illustrated, as they may be,

are, of conventional vertically spaced parallel conduits 13 and 14 connected by a series of short conduits or tubes 15. The end of the lower conduit 14- which is disposed'in a generally horizontal plane, is provided with a drain outlet controlled byva valve 16, and the opposite end of this conduit opens into a suction tank or surge drum indicated at 17. Similarly, one end of the upper pipe 13 opens into this surge drum. Suitable pipes or conduits are provided for connecting the compressor to the condenser, the condenser to the cooling coil or work circuit, and the work circuit to the compressor so that a complete circulatory s stem for the refrigerant, which is preferahlyammonia, is rovided.

The compresse gas from the compressor passes into the compressor outlet main 18 and thence into `a' main 19 which conducts the compressed and heated refrigerant to the condenserl'l. From the condenser 11 the refrigerant, which is, by the action of the condenser, reduced to l1 along the main at a suitable point, andthence into the sur e drum 17,7the surface of the uid form, passes into a main 20, through a oat valve 21 positioned body ofliquid refrigerant in th'is drum nor-` mally .standin at or about'the level in dicated bythe otted line 21. In circulating through the work circuit or cooling coil, the

refrigerant passes from drum 17. intol the lowermost horizontal main 14, thence upward through pi s15 to the return main 13, and thence bac to the tank 17.l From the top of the surge drum or suction tra 17, refrigerant gas is constantly remove through a refrigerant return main 22, the op osite end of which is connected to the inta e vof the compressor 10. Y

Solong as the compressor 10 is 1n operadensed, expanded, and recompressed in the customaryA and well-known manner, the spacel 10;

Aimmersed in a brine'ta'nk Adiagrammatically indicated at 23, cans of water being lowered into-the brine tank for the manufacture of ice in well-known manner.

The second refrigeration unitV is substantially the same in its general construction-- tion, the refrigerant is compressed, conas thatjust described. This second unit includes the compressor 30, condenser 31, oat valve V32, suction trap or surge drum 33, and

a work circuit on cooling coilv 34. The main for conducting refrigerant from the compressor to the condenser is indicated at 35,

the main'leading from the condenser to the It may be ad ed, however, that the foo g ing the refrigerant gas from the surge drum back to the compressor at 37.

Liquid refrigerant passes from the surge drum 33 into the lower reach of Ythe cooling coil 34 and flows, in the direction of the arrow, in the cooling' coil, reentering the surge drum 33 at about a lpoint midway between the top and bottom thereof, as shown in the drawings.

With the exception of certain valves, etc., hereinafter to be more specifically referred to, I'have now described the essential features of both refrigerating units and will hereinafter set forth the means whereby it is rendered possible for the operator to cut out of action the compressor and condenser of one unit and 'to operate both'cooling coils or work circuits from the remaining compressor and condenser. This means, in the present embodimentl of the invention, comprises essentially three valve .controlled mainsindicated at 40,41, and 42, respectively,'the main 40 connecting conduit 2O to conduit 36, the main 41 leadin from the surge drum 33, at or about a point midway of the height of this drum, to the upper main'4 13 of the cooling unit 12, andthe conduit 42 connecting the refrigerant gas return mains 22 and 37. 'Mains 40, 41, and 42 are provided With valves indicated at 43, 44, and 45, respectively, by means of which the flow of refrigerant may bepcontrolled or wholly interrupted.'

So long as it is desired to operate the two units independently, all three of these valves are closed. lf it is desired to supply both cooling coils orwork circuits from the compressor 10, all three of the-valves should be opened and, at the same time, valve 46 in main 20, .valve 47 in main 36, and valve 48 in main 37 closed, thus cutting out the compressor 30 and condenser 31; With the valves just mentioned in the positions set forth, it`

required by cooling unit 34 entering drum 33 `being returned to the cooling unit 12 through main 41. The .gas which evaporates from the liquidrefrigerant in drums 33 and 17 and the associated cooling coils passes.

through mains 22 and 37, respectively, and thence through main 22 into the compressor.

In this manner compressor 10 and condenserl 11 serve to supply both cooling coils.

Assuming that it be desired to cut out compressorlO and condenser ll'and to provide refrigerant for both cooling units by the operation of compressor 30 and condenser 31, it will be seen that it is only necessary to pressor 10 being stopped prior tothe closure of these valves. Compressor 10 and condenser 11are therefore cut out of action.-

Valves 47 and 48 are opened. Action of the compressor therefore forces .the refrigerant under pressure through the condenser 31 and thence through main 36 to the surge tank 33. The liquid refrigerant in the surge tank is circulated in part through coolin(r coil 34 and in part through the cooled unit 12. the main 41 conducting a portion of this refrigerant to the upper main 13 of the cooling unit 12, as before. Mains 22 and 37 are connected directlyI to the intake of compressor 30, valve 45 being open. Obviously there'is a gravity flow of refrigerant to main 41 as the coil 34, which is primarily `intended for cooling an ice storage room diagrammatically indicated at 55 and is generally placed aderator to operate the refrigerating units independently whenever this is desired or to thro'u7 the entire load of both cooling units upon one compressor, should the necessity or desirability of doing so ever arise. The novel apparatus, therefore, possesses important advantages over those of analogous nature heretofore designed or suggested, as the plant may. be operated to very nearly its full capacity with one compressor entirely out of action. My improved system therefore insures great flexibility and likewise provides a greater increased margin of safety against plant shut-down due to one compressor or condenser being damaged or rendered inoperative. It will, vof course, be obvious to one skilled in the art that the arrangement of mains, compressors, condensers, etc., forming the component elements of the apparatus may be greatly changed without departure from the spirit of the invention in adapting the same to various plants and different classes of work.

'jacent the ceiling of the storage room, is at A second -feature of the invention is rather diagrammatically illustrated in Figure 4 of the drawings and comprises essentially a compressor starting means which includes a positive safeguard against operation of the compressor at a time when cooling water is, for

any cause, not being pumped to the con- 'f denser, thus avoiding the possibility of the development of high pressure in the refrigerant mains with consequent leakage or explosion. In Figure 4 of the drawings, the compressor is indicated at 60, the compressor motor at 61, the water pump at 62, water pump motor at 63, vand condenser at 64. A

water collectin receptacle or sum is indicated at 65 an waterl main at 66, y means of which water is withdrawn from this sump by the pump1 62 The water pum outlet main, or disc arge main, is indicate at 66a, this main leading, in the present instance -to a cooling tower o ofv conventional type iagrammaticall indicated at T, from which tower it finds 1t way through the condenser'G/J; and again into the sump 65. A main for conducting the compressed refrigerant gas from the compressor 60 to the condenser 64 is; indicated at 78, and a main for conducting the cooled and condensed refrigerant from the condenser 64 to the work circuit is indicated at 67. Y'

A conventional mtorstarter of the magnetic ty e -is interposedin the electric supply mains" orthe compressor starter 60, this motor starter being diagrammatically indicated at 68, and a similar magnet type motor ystarter in the electrical. main leading to the water pump motor 63 is diagrammatically indicated at 69. The control switch of motor starter 69 is adapted to be closed upon the energization of a circuit 70 whichincludes a solenoid type electromagnet, diagrammatically indicated at 71, and a thermostatically operated switch 72 adapted to be positioned in a space to be cooled, as, for instance,'in a brine tank, indicated diagrammatically at 73, 'and within which tank the cooling coil or work circuit 74 of the motor-compressor cooling unit is also positioned.

The thermostatically actuated -switch 72 may be any one of a number of`well-known types and need not be describedin detail. It

fis sufficient to say that this switch automatically clo'ses when the temperature of the brine in the brine tank 73 rises to a predetermined degree. As a result of the closing of the circuit 70, theymotor starter 69 isactuated and the v electrical' connection between the source of power P and the motor 63 completed. The water pump 62 immediately commences operation to circulate the water from the sump to the cooling towerv and condenser. A branch main 7 5 extends from the water pump outlet main 67 to a pressure operated switch, diagrammatically indicated at 76. The details of this switch need not be herein set forth'inasmuch as it also may be of conventional type, such as a diaphragm or piston operated switch or the like.

Immediately after water pump 62 `begins to pump water to the cooling tower T, a considerable pressure is built up in the main 66a, which pressure is communicated through the branch main 75 to the pressure actuated switch 76. Switch 76 is immediately operatedby this water pressure to close the circuit indicated vat 77, this circuit being energized from the source of power P and including a solenoid magnet-,79 which, in reality, com- 55 prises a portion of the magnetic motor starter switch mechanism 68. As a result, thecompressor motor 61 is energized sor starts, and the process ci compression, condensation, evaporation, and cooling in the refrigeration circuit is commenced.

'From the above description itis clear that the compressor Will at all times remain inoperative except when the water pump 62 is in operation and water is actually passing to the cooling tower and hence to the condenser. Should the supply of water from the sump '(or any other suitable source) fail so that the pressure in the main66a falls below a predetermined minimum, the pressure actuated switch 76 automatically opens the circuit 77, and following this the compressor motor starting 4mechanism 68 operates to open the motor circuit switch so that the compressor motor immediately becomes *85.

de-energized and stops. It is thus clear` that it is impossible for the compressor to operate except when a suitable supplyof cooling Water is being delivered by the water pump and that, should either the supplyl of water to thepump failor'breakage in the` water supply system develop, or should the water pump 62 stop, the compressor motor 61 would likewise stop. Hence the system is positively safeguarded against damage due to operation of the compressor at a time when the condenser is inadequately suppplied with water.

It will be further noted that the operation of the system as a whole is entirely automatic,

the action of both the water pump and the 10" compressor motor being initiated bythe closing of the circuit 7 0 by operation of the thermostatically controlled switch 72 in the brine tank. .The usual manual operation of the water pump motor switch is therefore discontinued immediately'upon alling of the 115 temperature of the brine tank, or other cooled space, below the permissible maximum temperaturey predetermined. It is found that this system of'full automatic control is moreA economical both fromthe standpoint of wear 'and tear on the machinery, operators time,

and current'consumption-than, the method of hand operation heretofore practiced.

Having thus described the invention, What is claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent is 1. Rerigerating apparatus including, in combination, two adjacent and independently operable refrigerating units each comprising a compressor, a condenser, a work circuit 1301 the compresand conduits for conducting a refrigerant from the compressor to the condenser, fromA the condenser to the work circuit, and from the work circuit back to the compressor, and means for cutting out the compressor and condenser of either unit and connecting the work circuit thereof to the conduits of thel second unit so that a single compressor and condenser supplies refrigerant to both-work circuits.

2. Refrigerating apparatus including, in combination, two adjacent and independently operable refrigerating units each comprising a compressor, a condenser, a work circuit and conduits for conducting'a refrigerant from the compressor to the condenser, from the condenser to the work circuit, and from the work circuit back to-the compressor,

and means for circulating a 'controlled amount of refrigerant from one work circuit through the other 4work circuit.

3. Refrigerating apparatus for use in a commercial ice plant comprising a cooling coil adapted to be immersed in a brine tank and a second cooling coil adapted to be placed in an ice storage space, two independently operable compressors, acondenser associated with each compressor, and a system of pip-ing and valves whereby the refrigerant from either compressing and condensing unit may be caused to circulate through'both cooling coils at the will of the operator.

4. Refrigerating apparatus for use in a commercial ice plant comprising a cooling coil adapted to be immersed in a brine tank, a second cooling coil adapted to be placed in an ice storage space, said second cooling coil being positioned at a higher elevation than the lirst mentloned coll, a compressor, a condenser, means for conductlng refrigerant `from the condenser to the second cooling coil,

means for conducting a portion of the refrigerant supplied to the second cooling coil, by gravity, to the -first cooling coil, and means for conducting refrigerant from both cooling coils'to the compressor.

5. Refrigerating apparatus comprising two refrigerant circulating systems, each includsystems being independently operable, means for disconnecting one compressor from its associated cooling coil, and means for connecting the thus disconnected cooling coil to the other circulatory system, said last mentioned means including a conduit for conducting gaseous refrigerant from said last mentioned cooling coil to the active compressor and a conduit for conducting liquid refrigerant from this cooling coil to the other cooling coil.

8. The combination set -forth in claim 7 in which the two cooling coils are at different elevations and liquid refrigerant is caused to iow from one to the other by gravity.

9. Refrigerating apparatus comprising two cooling coils, two compressors, means for conducting gaseous refrigerant from both cooling coils to either compressor, and means for conducting liquid refrigerant from such compressor to both cooling coils. i

10. Refrigerating apparatus comprising two cooling coils, two compressors, means for conducting gaseous refrigerant from both coils to either com ressor, and means for conducting liquid-re rigerant in series through said cooling coils.

11. Refrigerating apparatus comprising two compressors, two cooling coils disposed one above the other,means for cutting out one signature.

. MARSHALL MUNCE.

. ing a com ressor and a cooling coil, the cooling coil o one system being positioned above the cooling coil of the second system, and means for conducting refrigerant by gravity from the upper cooling coil to the lower.

6. Refrigerating apparatus comprising two refrigerant circulating systems, each including a compressor and a coolin coil,said

systems being independently opera le, means for disconnecting either compressor from its l associated cooling coil, and a second means for connecting such last mentioned cooling coil to the other compressor, for the purpose set forth. v

7 Refrigerating apparatus comprising two refrigerant circulatlng systems, each including a compressor and a cooling coil, said 

